Spinalis capitis

Other Terms:
Musculus spinalis capitis,
Muscle épineux de la tête

Muscle parts

None

Latin name

Musculus spinalis capitis

Latin muscle parts

None

Group

Epaxial muscle – Erector spinae – Spinalis

Etymology

The English name for this muscle is the muscle on the spines of the vertebrae in the thoracic region. Spinalis comes from the Latin spina meaning “thorn.” This term was applied to pointed projections and in the 14th century was applied to the vertebral column with all its palpable spinous processes that form the dorsal line of the backbone.The word capitis comes from the Latin caput meaning “head.”

Origin

Side of spinous process of C7

Insertion

Near the midline between superior and inferior nuchal lines of occipital bone

Action

Extension of the vertebral column and head.

Nerve supply

Dorsal rami of cervical spinal nerves (C1 to C3)

Blood supply

The muscle receives a blood supply from muscular branches of the vertebral artery via the subclavian and also from muscular branches of the occipital artery via the external carotid artery.